Interview with Sporting Team Manager Gonçalo CASTANHEIRA two days prior to the first semi-final leg of TTCLM against reigning champion Orenburg (March 15th 19:00): “Now everything is possible”! Sporting Clube de Portugal founded in 1906 is best known for its football team – 1964 European Cup Winners` Cup champion – and some of biggest football stars ever like Luis FIGO and Cristiano RONALDO. But Sporting`s table tennis club drew attention across the nation after big success in their very first Table Tennis Champions League Men season. This Thursday March 15th they will host the reigning TTCLM champion Fakel Gazprom Orenburg in the first semi-final leg. More than enough reason for the interview with Sporting TT Team Manager Gonçalo CASTANHEIRA… How do you explain Sporting`s success in the debuting TTCLM season? Although we were considered the outsider team of the event we knew we could go far. From the beginning we believed that victory in all games was possible even though we were in the most difficult group that left us without any margin of error. The game of the opening day in Pontoise was crucial. We knew that almost everything depended on how we started the race. We won with some naturalness and from that game we began to face the victories and the passage of the group of natural form. What was the crucial in the quarter-final encounters against Stella Sport? We knew it was going to be a very difficult game. We got a good home team victory that gave us several tactical chances in France. We choose to try to simplify the game and ensure the victory as soon as possible placing the greatest responsibility on João MONTEIRO who once again set the example and gave the team more peace of mind. They were all at their best and the support of the public – JuveLeo França – and athletes’ friends was also crucial. What is the limit of actual Sporting`s team? Sporting has no limit and we love this spirit. Sporting has won all national club competitions in recent years (Super Cup Championship and Cup) and there was the ambition to make the leap to international club events. This main team of Sporting was “handpicked” after a big change over the last season. We maintained the main structure consisting of the Chinese coach and two Nigerian players and we had the privilege of being able to hire our two favorite Portuguese athletes. How do you comment individual performances of Sporting`s players in the TTCLM so far? João MONTEIRO was chosen to lead this fantastic group of players. Former champion for Sporting and fan in love with the club he returned to “his home” in time after winning many international titles. Currently playing his best table tennis as a result of the passion and family atmosphere he enjoys in Portugal he was decisive in all games of the competition and he is undoubtedly the best player a team can wish for. Aruna QUADRI is the current best African player and after several times of international high level he was required to maintain his success at the club level. It has grown in mental terms since the beginning of the competition cementing more and more its aggressiveness at the table. Now that Aruna becomes a Portuguese citizen his best is yet to come… Diogo CARVALHO is the current national champion of Portugal and was our joker in the TTCLM. He was decisive in almost every game with a win in each. He has been at the highest level and will continue to work hard day-by-day to be an international figure of table tennis. You can bet hard because we sure count on him! What do you expect in the semi-finals? Now everything is possible. We have achieved the goals required so we are with less pressure to be able to give the maximum game to game and to present our fantastic audience with highly emotive and spectacular games. Whatever happens now we “will never take the eyes off the ball”. Is there any table tennis fan from other sports in Sporting family? Cristiano RONALDO is passionate about table tennis. If he were not the best football player of the world he would probably be the best table tennis player in the world. When he played football in Madeira he was a federation practitioner and when he came to Sporting he used to go to the table tennis gym every day to play a little ping pong with us. He also loves this game! Please describe how Sporting Table Tennis Club looks like inside? Sporting Clube de Portugal is currently the largest national sporting power in all modalities and intends to be a European example. In table tennis there is a ten-table sports hall that runs daily with three youth coaches having won multiple national youth titles. The Club’s management has built a fantastic pavilion – João Rocha – annexed to the football stadium which is considered the home of the modalities that will greatly contribute to the success of Sporting table tennis at European level. We look forward to see what will happen in the future and how we can help these athletes even more to win more and more victories.
Fan Zhendong Ends Calderano’s Dream Run in Doha
Brazilian Hugo CALDERANO’s dream run at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Qatar Open has come to an end being defeated by FAN Zhendong in the much-anticipated final in Doha Qatar. The world’s eyes were on the final after the Brazilian beat world number one Timo BOLL (GER) world number 12 Tomokazu HARIMOTO (JPN) and world number four LIN Gaoyuan (CHN) on the march to the final. Despite having several game points in the first two games it was not to be as the 21-year-old Chinese superstar powered away to win 13-11 12-10 11-7 11-7 to ensure there would be no fairytale finish for CALDERANO. FAN Zhendong’s victory means that on 1 April 2018 he will be announced as world number one player for the first time. An excited FAN Zhendong stated after the match: “It is an amazing feeling to become the word number one it has always been a big dream of mine. I hope I can keep this position for a very long time. Hugo has a very strong backhand I had to change the placement of the ball a great deal. In the first two games I was too cautious too passive; after winning the second game I played in a more positive manner.” The women’s final was a battle between the old and new generation of the Chinese National Team. The next big thing in table tennis WANG Manyu got off to a rapid start winning the first two games and putting the elder LIU Shiwen under pressure. LIU Shiwen was able to keep her cool and used all her experience to win the next 4 games to win her third Qatar Open 8-11 10-12 11-9 11-6 11-5 11-6 after having to qualify for the main draw. The former world number one stated: “I have played seven matches in order to win this tournament; I am very happy to win here. I must express my gratitude to Qatar; this is a magnificent venue. I’ll be back next year.” The battle for the women’s doubles title was an all Chinese affair. CHEN Xingtong & SUN Yingsha has a blistering start to hold a 1-0 advantage. This was as close as they got to the title as CHEN Ke & WANG Manyu won the next 3 games to clinch the title 8-11 11-2 11-4 11-4. The men’s doubles final was between World Champions FAN Zhendong & XU Xin from China and the Japanese pair of Jun MIZUTANI & Yuya OSHIMA. In a pulsating final it was the Chinese pair who were victorious 9-11 11-5 11-9 13-11. The world’s best table tennis players now head to the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Bremen on 23-25 March 2018 as they continue to fight to qualify for the one million dollars World Tour Grand Finals.
Tomas POLANSKY justified his status and clinched gold
2018 BELGOSSTRAKH European Under 21 Championships In dramatic closure of the 2018 BELGOSSTRAKH European Under 21 Championships Tomas POLANSKY of Czech Republic justified his status and overcame Cristian PLETEA of Romania (11:6 5:11 12:10 11:5 5:11 7:11 12:10) to clinch the title in the final of the Men’s Singles Event. In thrilling seven games duel POLANSKY had a better start but after 3:1 PLETEA recovered to level the match. In addition he was the one who controlled the match in most of the seventh game. “Before the match I was not sure whether I could succeed in the finals with my arm injured. I played smoothly at the beginning but PLETEA surprised me and got some aces from up his sleeve so I had to change my tactics I switched to forehand at 3:1. To be honest I don’t have a slightest idea of how I managed to prevail in the seventh game. I kept up with my play and hoped for the best. My arm didn’t bother me in quarterfinals and semifinals and now it reminded me that I had to be careful. Of course it would also be fantastic if I won Doubles too but I was focused on Singles from the very beginning ” explained POLANSKY. In the semis Tomas POLANSKY overcame Rares SIPOS of Romania (11:6 11:4 12:10 1:11 11:6) Last time I played against SIPOS I was nearly defeated. I won by narrowest of margin 15:13 in the last game. He has neat backhands so I had to keep an eye on every single detail of how he performed his shots. I found the way to answer his style and proved to be stronger ” said POLANSKY. Cristian PLETEA of Romania was stretched to full distance against last year’s bronze medalists Darko JORGIC of Slovenia but prevailed (11:9 7:11 12:10 5:11 5:11 11:7 11:9) “I have seen how JORGIC played in different matches. He defeated many skilled adversaries in Bundesliga and he was merciless with his rivals here. Me and my coach developed tactics that seemed legit but the game wasn’t always going as planned. In the middle of the last set I felt something like a strong block all over my body I guess it’s due to immense psychological pressure of the importance of this match. I was afraid to lose ” explained PLETEA.
Mariia TAILAKOVA sealed Russia’s fantastic tournament with gold
2018 BELGOSSTRAKH European Under 21 Championships Last year semi finalist’s in Sochi Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia beat her teammate in all-Russia’s final. Valeria SHCHERBATYKH failed to produce any pressure could threat TAILAKOVA. It was generally perfect tournament for Russia. Three out of four semifinalist were from that country. After the final against SHCHERBATYKH tahat lasted only four games (11:3 11:7 11:4 11:8) TAILAKOVA said: “Usually I am nervous when playing against the girls from my team but the situation was different today. In this final game with SHCHERBAKOVA I was calm and steady unlike when I opposed KOLISH in the previous match. Moreover we played without a coach now so I had to take my own decisions and play as I decided. It’s the first time that I’ve made it to the finals and through I’ve never got farther than semifinals before.” In the semi final of the event Mariia TAILAKOVA beat her teammate Anastasia KOLISH (11:1 11:5 9:11 11:9 11:9). “I failed to win in the previous match against KOLISH some time ago. Nonetheless we train together we are in one team so I know her weaknesses and realize how to use them to my advantage. Today I have chosen the right tactics figured out the strategy of my rival and defeated her ” said TAILAKOVA who played in the semi final of the European Championships in Sochi last year. Natalia BAJOR of Poland suffered by the hands of Valeria SHCHERBATYKH (6:11 9:11 9:11 11:9 11:3 14:16). “I was leading 3:0 when I let my thoughts drift lost focus and missed two sets in a row which was a high price to pay for the mistake. In sixth game Natalia BAJOR had made it 5-2 when I finally managed to bring back focus and regain control over the situation. Actually I struggled with myself today. In this match my attack prevailed performed with power spins. In the finals I will play against Mariia which makes me feel anxious as we seldom play against each other ” said Valeria after the semi final.
Ibrahim GÜNDÜZ and Abdullah YIGENLER
2018 BELGOSSTRAKH European Under 21 Championships Turkey’s Ibrahim GÜNDÜZ and Abdullah YIGENLER clinched the title in the Men’s Doubles Event at the 2018 BELGOSSTRAKH European Under 21 Championships. In the final they overcame Patryk ZATOWKA and Marek BADOWSKI of Poland (8:11 11:9 3:11 9:11). “It was all about the control. The Polish pairings attacked but we maintained the control over the match and had the answer to their game ” said Ibrahim. Abdullah YIGENLER added: “The whole tournament was hard for us with each match bringing new surprises and new experience. I think we have known from the very beginning of the Championships that we could make it to the top. We always play together and our strategy evolves with each game. We may admit right away that the final match with the Polish players was the hardest one. ZATOWKA and BADOWSKI produce tricky services that are not easy to return so we had to try our best to beat them. In the end we are the champions.” Quarterfinalists from Sochi Patryk ZATOWKA and Marek BADOWSKI beat Tomas POLANSKY of Czech Republic and Dennis KLEIN of Germany (11:7 7:11 12:10 11:7) on their first exit to the table today. “We ca not say we were nervous in the beginning of the match although our rivals are top seeded in Doubles and POLANSKY is No.1 seeded in Singles. We simply did not think about it we just played our game. When we started losing points at some moment the only thing to matter was to focus on the quality of our play. This was our tactics and we imposed it successfully ” said Patryk ZATOWKA. Turkey’s Ibrahim GÜNDÜZ and Abdullah YIGENLER beat Konstantin CHERNOV and Artur ABUSEV of Russia (5:11 11:7 11:8 11:6) in the semi final.
itle for BRATEYKO and BAJOR on their premiere of the doubles
2018 BELGOSSTRAKH European Under 21 Championships Partnering Eline LOYEN at the inaugural Championhips in Sochi Lisa LUNG clinched gold medal in Women’s Doubles. At the 2018 BELGOSSTRAKH European Under 21 Championships Lisa had to pass the title over to Solomiya BRATEYKO of Ukraine and Natalia BAJOR of Poland. In the final they were better then the Belgium’s combination of Lisa LUNG and Margo DEGRAEF (11:8 11:9 11:6) “It is the first time that we played with each other. It was very scary for us to play in this final match but I’m so happy now. I have never before won the title at such competitions in fact it’s my first serious victory. The efforts that I’ve put into all these games were worth it ” said BRATEYKO. The straight games victory speaks about the superiority of the winners. “The hardest match for us was against Romania’s pairings in semis ” added NATALIA. Last year’s finalists in Sochi Adina DIACONU and Andreea DRAGOMAN of Romania were halted today in the penultimate stage of the Event. Solomiya BRATEYKO and Natalia BAJOR prevailed in full distance clash (5:11 11:6 9:11 11:3 11:8) to secure the place in the final. “It was long tough and scary match. We played against one of the strongest pairings of the whole tournament and I felt some sort of psychological pressure put on me because now we don’t have a right to make mistakes simply no right. But I believed that we could win we felt support coming from each other and now I’m extremely happy with how things have turned out. Maybe we’ll do even better next year without risking as much in the key games as we did today ” said Solomiya BRATEYKO. Spain’s ZHANG Xuan and Ana GARCIA were close to halt the progress of Lisa LUNG and Margo DEGRAEF of Belgium after they recovered from the two games to null in reverse but they lost the decisive game by narrow margin (11:13 7:11 11:2 11:8 10:12). We have done our utmost to get to the finals from this match. We had to literally fight for each point because the stakes are high and everyone plays at his finest. ZHANG Xuan and Ana GARCIA were stone strong we nearly missed the whole game – first we were leading safely 2:0 when voila!- it was 2:2 at 8:4 and then 10:10 it was a narrow margin ” said Lisa. Margo added: “We supported each other all the way through we stayed positive and tried hard to keep calm. In final it will be the battle for life.”
Calderano flies flag for Brazil to shock the world in Doha
Brazilian Hugo CALDERANO has shocked the table tennis world by defeating world number four LIN Gaoyuan (CHN) in the last 24 hours to make the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open final! The 21-year-old made a huge statement by beating the Chinese superstar and number three seed comprehensively 11-9 11-8 11-3 11-6 in a devastating display of table tennis to show the world that he is ready to break into the elite group of top players. A beaming CALDERANO stated: “I am very happy that I could beat such a high-level player 4-0 I never would have thought that his would have happened. It is a great feeling to be from Brazil non-traditional table tennis country and to be surprising top Chinese players at the highest level. I am very proud!” This amazing win adds to a dream event for the boy from Rio de Janeiro after he defeated world number one Timo BOLL 4-1 in the round of 16 and then world number 12 Tomozako HARIMOTO (JPN) in the quarter finals. The next challenge for the world number 15 is another significant task world number two FAN Zhendong (CHN) but after these giant slaying results who would doubt his chances. Commenting on the final CALDERANO stated: “FAN will of course be the favorite but I am confident with how I am playing so I will be fighting hard against him and I hope to play a great match.” The men’s final will be played at 17:00 local time (+3 GMT) and the women’s final at 16:00 which will be contested between the Chinese duo of WANG Manyu and LIU Shiwen. Both matches can be watched live on tv.ITTF.com as well as ITTF’s TV partners around the world.
ZHANG and GARCIA clinched the medal
2018 BELGOSSTRAKH European Under 21 Championships Spain’s ZHANG Xuan and Ana GARCIA beat top seeded pairings Daria TRIGOLOS and Nadezhda BOGDANOVA of Belarus to clinch the medal at the 2018 BELGOSSTRAKH European Under 21 Championships. In the quarterfinal of the Women’s Doubles Event they prevailed in five thrilling games (10:12 11:7 11:5 7:11 11:9). For the place in the final they will play against Lisa LUNG and Margo DEGRAEF of Belgium. In other semi final Solomiya BRATEYKO of Ukraine and Natalia BAJOR of Poland will meet Adina DIACONU and Andreea DRAGOMAN of Romania. Romania’s parings seeded at the position no. two overcame Karoline MISCHEK of Austria and Airi AVAMERI of Estonia (11:7 11:5 9:11 11:6) whilst Lisa LUNG and Margo DEGRAEF accounted for Sabina SURJAN and Tijana JOKIC of Serbia (7:11 8:11 6:11). Solomiya BRATEYKO and Natalia BAJOR beat Croatia’s Dorina SREBRNJAK and Andrea PAVLOVIC 14:12 11:4 11:9). In the Round of 16 Daria TRIGOLOS and Nadezhda BOGDANOVA of Belarus beat Filippa BERGAND and Christina KALLBERG of Sweden in straight games (11:5 11:5 11:4). Sabina SURJAN and Tijana JOKIC of Serbia joined them shortly with another straight games victory over Mariia TAILAKOVA and Anastasia KOLISH of Russia (7:11 8:11 8:11). ZHANG Xuan and Ana GARCIA of Spain followed the path and beat Veronica MOSCONI and Jamila LAURENTI of Italy (8:11 9:11 11:13) whilst Lisa LUNG and Margo DEGRAEF of Belgium needed four games to overcame Ana TRBUSCIC of Croatia and Betul Nur KAHRAMAN of Turkey (6:11 8:11 11:5 7:11). WAN Yuan and Jennie WOLF of Germany suffered the defeat in the match against against Karoline MISCHEK of Austria and Airi AVAMERI of Estonia (8:11 11:5 10:12 11:7 9:11) as well as Dragana VIGNJEVIC of Serbia and Marie MAESEN of Belgium against Adina DIACONU and Andreea DRAGOMAN of Romania (4:11 11:9 11:13 2:11). Dorina SREBRNJAK and Andrea PAVLOVIC of Croatia beat Maria YOVKOVA of Bulgaria and Fanni HARASZTOVICH of Hungary (11:7 11:8 6:11 11:8) and Solomiya BRATEYKO of Ukraine and Natalia BAJOR of Poland overcame Valeria SHCHERBATYKH of Russia and Elena ZAHARIA of Romania (13:11 11:8 11:4). Men’s Doubles Tomas POLANSKY of Czech Republic and Dennis KLEIN of Germany beat Vladimir of Russia and Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece to reach the semi final of the Men’s Doubles Event at the 2018 BELGOSSTRAKH European Under 21 Championships in Minsk (7:11 9:11 3:11). Turkey’s Ibrahim GÜNDÜZ and Abdullah YIGENLER prevailed against Tomasz KOTOWSKI of Poland and Samuel KALUZNY of Slovakia by same margin (11:7 11:7 11:6) as well as Konstantin CHERNOV and Artur ABUSEV of Russia beat Darko JORGIC and Dani KOZUL (11:8 11:2 11:7). Bence MAJOROS of Hungary and Anders LIND of Denmark stretched Patryk ZATOWKA and Marek BADOWSKI to full distance but Poland’s pairings prevailed (11:13 11:3 6:11 11:7 11:7). In The Round of 16 Tomas POLANSKY of Czech Republic and Dennis KLEIN of Germany easily prevailed against Carlo ROSSI and Matteo MUTTI of Italy (7:11 5:11 5:11). Bence MAJOROS of Hungary and Anders LIND of Denmark also succeeded against Simon SODERLUND and Malte MOREGARD of Sweden (6:11 3:11 11:9 7:11) but they needed one game more. Patryk ZATOWKA and Marek BADOWSKI of Poland overcame Nils HOHMEIER and Tobias HIPPLER of Geremany (11:8 11:4 11:4) but most of the action has been seen in the duel between Vladimir SIDORENKO and Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS and Rares SIPOS and Alexandru MANOLE of Romania (9:11 11:3 11:9 9:11 11:9) which eventually went to the combination of the players from Russia and Greece. Andreas LEVENKO of Austria and Aliaksandr KHANIN of Belarus suffered by the hands of Russia’s combination of Konstantin CHERNOV and Artur ABUSEV (11:3 8:11 9:11 9:11). Tomasz KOTOWSKI of Poland and Samuel KALUZNY of Slovakia prevailed against Adam BRAT and Tibor SPANIK of Slovakia (11:9 9:11 6:11 11:7 11:9). The duel between Hungary’s Csaba ANDRAS and Istvan MOLNAR and Darko JORGIC and Deni KOZUL concluded with the victory of the Slovenian pairings (11:8 8:11 8:11 12:14). Turkey’s Ibrahim GÜNDÜZ and Abdullah YIGENLER beat Jiri MARTINKO and Stanislav KUCERA of Czech Republic (15:17 11:4 11:3 11:4).
PLATEA and SIPOS in the semis
2018 BELGOSSTRAKH European Under 21 Championships In the tomorrow’s semi final of the Men’s Singles Event at the 2018 BELGOSSTRAKH European Under 21 Championships will play Tomas POLANSKY of Czech Republic against Rares SIPOS of Romania and Darko JORGIC of Slovenia against Cristian PLETEA of Romania. Tomas POLANSKY beat young Csaba ANDRAS of Hungary in straight games (11:6 11:3 11:5 11:8). “I can say quite surely that I was stronger in this match. ANDRAS did not surprise me he did not bring up anything special. His shots were apparently weaker than mine so I’m not surprised with my victory. I was tired a bit at the first day of the competitions and I was a bit down after all that happened in the beginning of the tournament but I am back to rock now ” said POLANSKY. Cristian PLETEA of Romania overcame Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece after thrilling seven games (8:11 11:7 8:11 6:11 11:4 11:9 12:10) “It is a surprise for me that I have won this match. SGOUROPOULOS put so many balls to the table forced me to spin and move all around the table so I could not even catch the game. His returns drove me mad. But I mobilized myself and fought point by point step by step. My coach was a bit angry with me because of my inner state in this match but I know he believes in me and wants me to win ” explained PLETEA. Rares SIPOS overcame Jiri MARTINKO of Slovakia to join his teammate (11:4 8:11 11:9 8:11 11:8 11:8). “To say the truth it was the miracle that I beat Jiri. I saw MARTINKO crushing LEVENKO today and I was like “Oh my God am I supposed to beat him?”. He caused some big troubles for me in this game he produces great backhands proves safe with forehands and shoots intricate services. It’s just incredible that I’m the winner here after all ” SIPOS was true to his nature as always. Darko JORGIC overcame Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova in six games (5:11 11:8 6:11 11:9 9:11 5:11).
Three Russia’s players at the medal rostrum
2018 BELGOSSTRAKH European Under 21 Championships The first set of medals at the 2018 BELGOSSTRAKH European Under 21 Championships is already decided. Tomorrow we will see how the positions at the medal rostrum will be determined. In the semi final of the Women’s Singles Event will play Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia against her teammate Anastasia KOLISH and Valeria SHCHERBATYKH of Russia will meet Natalia BAJOR of Poland. The duel between last year Sochi silver medalists Germany’s WAN Yuan and bronze medalist Mariia TAILAKOVA concluded in favor of Russia’s player. After a shaky start and 2:0 in reverse TAILAKOVA read the WAN’s service game and simply killed any suspense in the game (11:7 11:8 3:11 5:11 4:11 7:11). “I played against WAN Yuan a couple of years ago it was hard to withstand her play style. The today’s encounter was tough too. In first sets I produced powerful shots but then slowed down the game took more precise shots which forced my opponent to make simple mistakes and opened the way to the next round for me ” said Mariia. Valeria SHCHERBATYKH maintained her patience to overcame defensive play of Alina NIKITCHANKA (11:3 11:8 11:2 10:12 11:1) and in doing so inflicted the pain in host nation supporters. “The match was quite easy for me. Although I realized that the whole Belarus was watching me playing I felt no pressure at all I was calm. The only problem was the one I’ve already mentioned: in the fourth set I lost focus for some time and let my opponent score 3:1. I’m working hard for such things not to happen in the upcoming matches ” explained Valeria SHCHERBATYKH. Natalia BAJOR of Poland prevailed against Ozge YILMAZ of Turkey (6:11 7:11 7:11 16:14 14:12 7:11). “It was a very nervous match. I lost in quarterfinals in the previous year so I was very eager to win and to improve my last year’s result. Ozge YILMAZ has a very good service it was hard for me to receive. Anyway I am very happy I could have made it this far ” said BAJOR. Anna WEGRZYN of Poland suffered defeat by the hands of Anastasia KOLISH of Russia (9:11 5:11 10:12 11:4 11:8 11:6 8:11). “Even when you lead 3:0 you are not entitled to relax that’s my motto for the today’s match. I made a mistake and could barely fix it then. The 7th set was a challenge for me – I was leading when something went wrong and the final rallies were more like duels. I played with this girl in the first day of the competitions and I can say she is very reserved she never shows her emotions. She has advanced since the first day too so it was difficult to play ” reflected KOLISH.
